“Red Hot” by John Portman resilience:T h e D o w n T o w n S T a T e o f M i n D 2009 Annual Report resilience:the ability to recover from or adjust easily to change While not immune to the stresses of the past year, Downtown has shown amazing resilience in the face of global changes in economic, political, and social structures. Changes in the economy have touched all of us, but Atlanta has handled adversity and difficulty in the past. We know how to overcome and live to persevere another day. Now the wisdom gained through our history has served us well. We’ve been smart in Atlanta’s role as an international city was epitomized with our investments in the past and we’ve not panicked in light of the challenges in the the 1996 Olympic Games and CenTennial olyMpiC park; the flags in Quilt Plaza are a permanent reminder of our present. Therefore, we know we will thrive again in the future. Join us in a tour role in hospitality and leadership. around town to appreciate our public art and to remind ourselves why Resilience is the Downtown State of Mind. our Mission is to build a 21st century Downtown as the heart of the Atlanta Region – a vibrant community with strong leadership and sustainable infrastructure that is Safe, livable, DiverSe, eConoMiCally viable, accessible, Clean, hoSpiTable anD enTerTaininG. We own this vision every day as we work for you during prosperous times and challenging times. Our commitment and outlook are very optimistic as we walk around our community. “The Flair,” loCaTeD near The GeorGia DoMe in The GwCC CoMplex, was dedicated to the Olympic athletes and inspires us to heroic effort in our daily activities. President & Chairmen’s Letter reSilienCe: The DownTown STaTe of MinD How Downtown has handled adversity with maturity This time last year, we weren’t sure how 2009 would One of the most gratifying developments in 2009 unfold. Many were pessimistic and others were fearful. was the way that CAP/ADID and its members shared Yet, now, our tangible assets are still intact and we have ideas and worked on programs together. We saw many stories to share about the positive things that our partnerships strengthened through mutual occurred every day in Downtown Atlanta in 2009. advancements and benefits. Pulling together to solve problems or address opportunities has such a Our resilient attitude and wisdom gained through galvanizing effect for all parties and we truly experienced experience has prompted many of our member that this past year. Not content with stopping there, we businesses and individuals to recommit themselves to are reaching new constituents through social media. focusing on what is important and to engage in the things we sometimes take for granted. We’ve looked for This report shows the power of partnership and how solutions right in our own backyard and we’ve learned much can be accomplished through a joint focus and anew that our city has some of the most creative and commitment. CAP and ADID are humbled with the innovative people and some of the most attractive assets ongoing success we have accomplished with you, and in our region. Atlanta has always offered more value for we want to do even more in 2010. We anticipate great your dollar than other cities and that’s just as true today opportunities with new Mayor Kasim Reed, Georgia State Long time Atlanta resident and councilwoman for 18 years, as it has ever been. football at the Georgia Dome, a major addition to the Georgia Aquarium, and the new Hotel Indigo opening Barbara M. Asher is a reminder of Downtown resiliency. While many of us have learned the truth of the old this summer. We have much to be excited about. Her staTue on broaD STreeT inSpireS uS To perSevere. axiom that diversity is important in our investment portfolio, we’ve seen how that truth has also played We’ve got a great Downtown State of Mind! out as a strength in our community. Every day we see a diversity of students, visitors, government workers, bankers, restaurateurs, medical professionals, lawyers, entertainers, artists, accountants, and logistics experts who crisscross our city living lives of promise and hope. Their presence is reason for all of us to have resilient attitudes. Downtown has become a model of diversity for the region. Our 7th Annual Development Day in November was perhaps our best ever opportunity to network and learn. Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) also initiated multiple Downtown Dining District and restaurant events, while forging creative solutions in parking and transportation. S. Taylor Glover, Craig Jones, AJ Robinson, Additionally, improvements were started in 2009 with CAP Chair ADID Chair President, funding from the Atlanta Downtown Improvement & CAP Vice Chair CAP/ADID District (ADID) and other sources for streetscapes and public areas as part of Imagine Downtown Implementation 2.0. 4 Our goal of building a Safe community is always a priority. Building a safe Downtown is a multifaceted endeavor and one that involves all of us doing our part to support the work of the Atlanta Police Department (APD) and other public safety agencies in addressing crime and quality of life issues. Even with a shortage of police and additional furloughs, crime Downtown was down. There was a 12% reduction in crime in the Downtown Improvement District from 2008 to 2009 with an 18% reduction in automobile larceny. SafeT y iniTiaTiveS The AmbassaDor forCe ® The August 2009 ADID donation of 10 police bikes and Created by Central Atlanta Progress in 1996, the 3 police-equipped Segways significantly enhanced the Ambassador Force of Downtown Atlanta is a full-time Zone 5 officers’ ability to patrol parking decks, surface private hospitality and public safety force that works as lots, and pedestrian corridors throughout the entire the eyes and ears for APD in many respects. District more efficiently and effectively. Skanska, a CAP member, was selected by CAP reCenT iniTiaTiveS to renovate the ADID and Ambassador Force iMpleMenTeD by The APD’S headquarters in the historic Olympia Building Zone 5 preCinct inCluDe : Downtown with the goal of LEED-certification in • Addition of foot beats mind. “ADID wanted a LEED-certified space for the • Focus on quality of life and prevention headquarters of the Atlanta Ambassador Force and • 60 officers per day in Downtown, asked for our help in making it happen,” said Skanska 10:00 AM – Midnight (30 each shift) in Senior Vice President Al Gogolin, PE, LEED AP. “We addition to Zone 5 mobile patrol officers achieved LEED Silver certification by reducing water • Parking Lot Liaison Officers use by 30 percent and energy use by 25 percent, while • Holiday Detail - Admin. Staff and new Officers completing an adaptive reuse of this historic building.” • “Street Heat” - Overtime Operations w/focused enforcement • COBRA – Crime analysis for deployment strategy “The Big One” by Willi Gutmann, outsiDe peaChTree CenTer, • Surveillance camera program (jointly with ADID) brings together the spirit of ambition, commerce, and humanity and spurs our commitment to our urban center. 6 Realizing new value in making central Atlanta more livable. In many ways, the growth and success of Atlanta was realized through its value proposition. Living in a beautiful and diverse culture at affordable prices has brought businesses, visitors, students, and residents to Downtown – and yet we continued to add value in 2009. publiC SpaCe STreeT venDinG • Implementation of a pilot signalization The City of Atlanta Public Space Vending Program improvement - including signal equipment is an exciting partnership between General Growth upgrades, communication equipment upgrades, Properties, Inc. and the City of Atlanta that has and timing optimization – along Marietta Street completely revamped the look and feel of sidewalk and Centennial Olympic Park Drive retail in Downtown Atlanta. The program kicked off in the fall of 2009 with the opening of 20 kiosk units in • Refreshed landscaping, adding mulch and and around the Woodruff Park area, World of Coca- paint to 79 Fairlie-Poplar planters throughout Cola, and the Georgia Aquarium. Phase II of the the historic district program will open this year. CiTy life CapiTal ImproveMents Over the past months, First Thursdays ArtsWalk has On the heels of the American Recovery and continued to grow with new programs and additional Revitalization Act of 2009, CAP and ADID embarked venues so that art lovers can view the arts, tour the on their own stimulus funding plan to continue historic districts of Downtown, and enjoy various to support the growth and redevelopment of the discounts at Downtown restaurants. center city by securing an additional $4.0 million. Improvements have included: CAP held quarterly town hall meetings to inform constituents and stakeholders of Downtown’s current • Replacement and repair of 54 broken street projects and assets. We also sponsored “Coffee with lights throughout Downtown the Candidates” at Ventanas featuring all of the City Council and Mayoral candidates with a room full of • Installation of 20 bike racks 200 members and Downtown stakeholders prior to the 2009 elections. • Immediate traffic operations upgrades at the Williams Street and Ivan Allen Jr. Boulevard folk arT park, located throughout the city’s streetscape, intersection including signal phasing and lane turns a utilitarian overpass into a celebration of life for those configuration changes, as well as overhead signage of us who call Downtown “Home.” 8 Our DiverSe cultures, enterprises and attitudes help us respond to change. There is no doubt that the diversity of Atlanta has been a tremendous asset in responding to changes that occur in our economy, environment, politics, and relationships. We all need a diversity of perspectives and experiences to help us weather challenges.